Article and Puzzle

ABSTRACT

A puzzle of the cuboid mechanical type having six faces forming a closed surface, wherein in the solved state the puzzle has a geometry in which each face comprises a non-planar surface formed from a set of interconnected elements rotatable about one of three mutually perpendicular and intersecting axes to convert the puzzle to/from the solved state geometry. In the preferred form each non-planar face is a hyperbolic-paraboloid or saddle-like surface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to three dimensional novelty articles and/or puzzles for entertainment

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Three dimensional cuboid mechanical puzzles such as the Rubik's™ cube are well known and provide a form of entertainment for the user. The Rubiks™ cube for example presents a challenge in rotating the coloured pieces of the cube to restore the six different, single coloured faces.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative form of puzzle and/or article for entertainment.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In a first aspect the invention may broadly be said to consist of a puzzle having six faces forming a closed surface, wherein in the solved state the puzzle has a geometry in which each face comprises a non-planar surface formed from a set of interconnected elements rotatable about one of three mutually perpendicular and intersecting axes to convert the puzzle to/from the solved state geometry.

Preferably each element in each face has a geometry that forms a portion of the non-planar surface.

Preferably each face has a convex curve profile along a first axis and a concave curve profile along a second axis to form the non-planar surface.

Preferably the elements forming the sets of two adjacent faces share edge elements, the edge elements being rotatable about either of the respective axes of the respective faces.

Preferably the non-planar surface is a hyperbolic paraboloid surface.

Preferably the elements are rotatable in respective sets about respective axes to change the geometry of respective face to/from a hyperbolic parabloid surface, and/or change the puzzle to/from the solved state geometry.

Preferably each face is formed from a three by three set of interconnected elements.

Preferably at least one ninety degree rotation of at least one of the sets alters the geometry of the puzzle.

In a second aspect the invention may broadly be said to consist of a puzzle comprising a plurality of elements that can be arranged to from a closed surface having six faces, wherein each one of the six faces comprises a convex curve profile along one axis and a concave curve profile along a second axis and wherein the elements can be maneuvered relative to each other to alter the geometry of at least one face of the puzzle.

In a third aspect the invention may broadly be said to consist of a puzzle comprising a plurality of elements arranged to from a closed surface having six faces, wherein each one of the six faces comprises a convex curve profile along one axis and a concave curve profile along a second axis, and wherein each face comprises nine elements arranged in a three by three array such that the convex and concave profiles of each face are bounded by a first and second pair of opposed edges respectively, and each edge from the first pair is formed from three elements that also form a corresponding edge from the second pair of edges of an adjacent face.

In a fourth aspect the invention may broadly be said to consist of a puzzle comprising a plurality of elements and a core structure having six limbs extending in three intersecting and mutually perpendicular axes, each limb rotatably retaining one of six centre elements of the plurality of elements at an outer end of the limb, wherein remaining elements of the plurality of elements interlockingly engage the centre elements about the core structure to surround the centre elements and form a closed surface bounded by six faces, each face defined by one of the centre elements and the elements surrounding the centre element and being rotatable about the respective limb of the centre element and wherein the elements are shaped such that when they are interlocked each face is a surface having a concave curve along a first axis and a convex curve along a second axis.

Preferably the remaining elements have protrusions for interlockingly engaging one another about the core structure.

Preferably the puzzle comprises eight corner elements each arranged to engage behind a back face of two adjacent centre elements, and twelve other elements each arranged to fit between the corner elements and engage a back face of one of the two adjacent centre elements.

In a fifth aspect the invention may broadly be said to consist of a puzzle comprising a plurality of elements and a core structure having six limbs extending in three intersecting and mutually perpendicular axes, each limb rotatably retaining one of six centre elements of the plurality of elements at an outer end of the limb, and wherein remaining elements of the plurality of elements fit into the core structure about the centre pieces to rotate in sets with a respective centre piece and to form a closed surface bounded by six faces having concave curve along a first axis and a convex curve along a second axis is formed.

In a sixth aspect the invention may broadly be said to consist of a three-dimensional article bounded by six faces, wherein each face is a hyperbolic paraboloid surface bounded by a first and second pair of opposed edges, and each edge from the first pair of a face is coincident with a corresponding edge from the second pair of an adjacent face

The term “comprising” as used in this specification and claims means “consisting at least in part of”. When interpreting each statement and claim in this specification that include the term “comprising”, features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as “comprise” and “comprises” are to be interpreted in the same manner.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of an article of the present invention from a first angle,

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the article of FIG. 1 from a second angle with different annotations to improve clarity,

FIG. 4 shows two of the articles of FIG. 1 stacked on top of one another,

FIG. 5 shows two of the articles of FIG. 1 sliding against each other,

FIG. 6 shows a puzzle in its solved state employing the shape of the article of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 7 shows the puzzle of FIG. 6 in a disordered state before it is to be solved,

FIG. 8 shows the puzzle of FIG. 6 in a partially disassembled state,

FIG. 9 shows a moulded core structure and six centre pieces of the puzzle of FIG. 6,

FIG. 10 shows two pieces of the puzzle of FIG. 6,

FIG. 11 shows the puzzle with a harder plastics material along the inner surfaces of the pieces, and

FIGS. 12 a and 12 b show cross-sectional views of three alternative surface profiles of the faces of the puzzle or article of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Description of Geometry

Referring to FIG. 1, an article 100 (hereinafter referred to as block 100 in reference to the preferred embodiment) is depicted having non-planar or curved faces 110-115. Block 100 is therefore a three-dimensional structure comprising faces which lie in the three-dimensional domain. This provides a block shape that is different to the nominal flat-faced polyhedron structures and gives the block both aesthetic appeal and functional advantages as will be discussed in more detail below.

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a block 100 comprising six saddle-like faces 110-115 (only three of which are clearly visible, 110, 112 and 113). The block 100 is formed as a closed surface. Preferably the closed surface has a solid interior. Alternatively it may be hollow, or have a mechanism inside when used as a puzzle, as described later. Preferably the block is formed from silicon material. Alternatively, the block may be formed from plastics or other suitable material.

It will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments the faces of the block may have a different non-planar profile to the saddle-like profile described above. For example, the faces may have any of profiles shown in cross sectional view in FIGS. 12( a) and 12(b). Furthermore, one face may have a different non-planar surface to another of the block (or puzzle) as shown in the cross section of FIG. 12( b). A wave-like profile (partial cross-section shown in 12(a)), or another non-planar profile (12(b) showing faces 600 a and 600 b having different non-planar surfaces) may be employed for example. Reference will be made to the preferred saddle-like profile embodiment throughout the rest of the specification, however this is not intended to be limiting and other forms are to be included within the scope of this invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, each face e.g. 110 is shown to meet with four other faces adjacent to it to form the closed surface. The junction between two adjacent faces forms one of twelve curved edges, generally referred to as 120. The outer boundary of each face e.g. 110 is therefore defined by a set of four edges, e.g. 110 a-110 d, formed by the junction between the face 110 and its respective four adjacent faces 111-114 (not all adjacent faces are visible). Therefore, every edge 120 is common to two adjacent faces. For example, edge 110 c of face 110 and edge 112 a of face 112 are the same edge 120. Every curved edge 120 meets with two other curved edges 120 at one of eight common vertex points 130 a-130 h. For example, edge 110 a of face 110 meets both edges 110 c and 112 c at vertex point 130 a. The shape of each face 110-115 of the preferred embodiment will now be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2. The description will be made with reference to face 110 by way of example and for clarity. It will be appreciated however that in the preferred embodiment the rest of the faces 111-115 will have the same general shape as 110 but with different orientations and/or positions.

Each face is a saddle-like surface. This means that each face is curved in a first direction to form a convex curve along a first axis and curved in an opposite direction to form a concave curve along a second axis. For example, face 110 is curved outwards along the X axis to form a convex curve profile of the surface that is convex curved along any cross-section in the X axis direction (hereinafter referred to as the convex curve of the surface), and outwards along the Y axis to form a concave curve profile of the surface that is concave curved along any cross-section in the Y axis direction (hereinafter referred to as the concave curve of the surface). In the preferred embodiment, the first and second axes are perpendicular to one another (e.g for face 110, X and Y are perpendicular). In one form this shape can be defined mathematically as a hyperbolic paraboloid surface. For face 110 the general equation would be:

$\begin{matrix} {z = {\frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}} - {\frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}}.}}} & {{equation}\mspace{14mu} 1} \end{matrix}$

Where a and b define the level of curvature in the x and y directions respectively and a is the depth of the point (x, y) on the surface of face 110 resulting from this curvature. Each other face has the same geometry. It will be appreciated that for other faces, this equation will be rearranged depending on the orientation of the faces with respect to the X, Y and Z axes.

Each face 110-115 is therefore a surface lying in three-dimensional space which spans or curves along three mutually perpendicular axes X, Y and Z.

To form a closed surface from six faces, each face 110-115 is bounded along two axes (either X, Y; Y, Z; or Z, X) so that it is limited in width, height and depth. Preferably each face is also symmetric about these two axes. Face 110 in FIG. 2, for example, is bounded in the x and y directions (i.e. along the X and Y axes) and therefore limited in width (w), height (h) and depth (d). Assuming the centre of face 110 is the point (x=0, y=0, z=0) and referring to equation 1 above, the limits imposed on the x and y values to provide width, w, and height, h, would be:

${x} \leq \frac{w}{2}$ ${y} \leq \frac{h}{2}$

Preferably the height and width of a face 110-115 are the same. For example, w=h for face 110. In an alternative embodiment the height and width (e.g. w and h for face 110) are different. In yet another alternative embodiment, each face is non-symmetric about any one of the two axes it is bounded (e.g. face 110 is non-symmetric about the X or Y axis or both). It will be appreciated that for other faces, this equation will be rearranged depending on the orientation of the faces with respect to the X, Y and Z axes.

The relationship between two adjacent faces of the preferred embodiment (where width and height are the same) will now be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3. By way of example and for clarity the relationship between face 110 and any one of its adjacent faces 111-114 will be described. It will be appreciated that the rest of the faces 111-115 will hold a similar relationship with their adjacent faces.

As mentioned above, face 110 is bounded by four curved edges 110 a-110 d, each edge forming the junction between the face 110 and an adjacent face. The symmetry of the preferred form described above means that face 110 is actually bounded by a first pair of opposed edges, 110 a and 110 d, and a second pair of opposed edges, 110 b and 110 c. To achieve a closed surface having six saddle-like faces, each edge of the first pair of opposed edges, 110 a and 110 d on face 110 must be coincident with an edge of a second pair of opposed edges of an adjacent face and vice versa. For example, edge 110 d of face 110 is coincident with edge 113 c of face 113 and edge 110 b of face 110 is coincident with edge 111 a of face 111.

In other words, for the preferred symmetric embodiment every face adjacent to face 110 is equivalent to a face resulting from:

-   1. first rotating face 110 90 degrees about one of three mutually     perpendicular axes, X, Y and Z, traversing through the block     centre-point, and then -   2. rotating the face again about another one of the three axes (but     not the same axis as in 1.).     The opposing face (not shown) can simply be obtained by rotating     face 110 180 degrees about the X axis.

Block 100 of the present invention provides a shaped article that can be used in a number of different applications. For example, the block 100 might be used as a children's building block providing aesthetic appeal for the child and a new perspective on shapes in general. The shape of block 100 also allows one block to abut and engage a face on a corresponding block as shown in FIG. 4. This can be achieved by aligning the concave curve on one face of a block 100 a with the convex curve on a face of a corresponding block 100 b or vice versa. In other words, a first axis bisecting the first pair of opposed edges on a face of a block can be aligned with a second axis bisecting the second pair of opposed edges on a face of a corresponding block to abut and engage the blocks. Therefore a plurality of blocks as defined above can be arranged such that one face of each block abuts and engages a face of a corresponding block. This means corresponding blocks are stackable to some degree and can also smoothly slide against one another as shown by arrows A and B in FIG. 5 to fully manipulate the relative positions of the blocks (by sliding along any axes) when they are in contact. These features provide opportunities for unique games and puzzles that employ such block structures. Furthermore, the aesthetic appeal of the block can be used for applications at a larger scale such as in sculpturing.

Puzzle in the Shape of the Described Geometry

FIG. 6 shows a puzzle employing the shape described above. The puzzle is of the 3D cuboid mechanical puzzle type. As shown, a block 200 (generally having the shape of described above) is formed from a plurality of pieces or elements 260 (hereinafter referred to as pieces but without the intention of limiting the scope of the invention). The pieces 260 are interconnected and rotatable in sets about one of three mutually perpendicular and intersecting axes X, Y and Z (the axes intersect at the centre point of the block 200). Each set 270-275 (only three of which are shown) is arranged as a two-dimensional array of pieces and forms one of the six faces 210-215 (borders drawn around faces 210-212). The pieces forming sets of two adjacent faces (or sides) share edge pieces in common. For example, faces 210 and 211 forming sets 270 and 271 share the three edge pieces 260 a, 260 b and 260 c. Each face is rotatable as a set of pieces 260 about one of the three axes as indicated by arrows R1, R2 and R3 for the three faces 210-212 shown in FIG. 6. The edge pieces (e.g. 260 a-260 c) shared by two adjacent faces (e.g. 210 and 211) are therefore rotatable about either of the respective axes (e.g. Z and X) of the respective faces. Corner pieces are rotatable about all three axes. Preferably the rotation of each set about an axis is bi-directional.

In the preferred form, each set 270-275 is a 3 by 3 array of connected pieces as shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively the set may be a 2 by 2, 4 by 4 or a 5 by 5 array of connected pieces. In this way instead of the preferred 3 by 3 by 3 piece puzzle, a 2 by 2 by 2, 4 by 4 by 4 or a 5 by 5 by 5 piece puzzle can be formed. It will be appreciated that the puzzle can be formed in any other size and therefore can contain any number of pieces per set. Furthermore, each set may not necessarily have the same number of pieces, i.e. a puzzle may have 2 by 2 sets on two opposing faces and 2 by 3 sets on the other four faces. Any ‘m’ by ‘n’ by ‘l’ (where m, n and 1 can be any number) combination of pieces which form the shape of the block of the present invention can be employed to form the puzzle and the examples given above are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Each piece of the puzzle in each face has a geometry that forms a portion of the non-planar surface. By rotating sets of pieces in various combinations, the component pieces forming any particular side will change, thus disordering the puzzle. Therefore, by rotating the sets (or in other words by manoeuvring the pieces or elements relative to each other), the geometry or shape of each face (and/or the geometry of the overall puzzle) is altered or disordered, for example, as shown in FIG. 7. Clearly, a large number of other disordered states are possible. Each disordered state makes the overall shape of the puzzle deviate from the three-dimensional shape described above. To solve the puzzle, the sets must be rotated in the correct manner to restore the shape of every face on the block 200 (i.e. restore the block to its original shape shown in FIG. 6). Preferably, the block is a single colour or has a single pattern. This would mean that the goal of the puzzle is to rearrange the blocks into the correct overall shape without concern for the colour or patterns on the individual pieces. In another embodiment, different colours and/or patterns might be present in the blocks, meaning that to solve the puzzle, the shape has to be restored, along with the correct colours and/or patterns.

Once again as described in terms of the overall block, the puzzle may take on any non-planar face profile and the saddle-like profile shown in the figures is the preferred embodiment.

The puzzle can use any type of suitable rotation mechanism for rotating the pieces 260. For example, a rotation mechanism similar to that of traditional popular puzzle cubes could be used. In such an embodiment, the puzzle consists of twenty-six pieces and a moulded core structure that together form the rotation mechanism. A centre piece of each face is affixed to the core structure which in turn provides structure for the other pieces to fit into and rotate around. This is best shown in FIG. 8. The rotation mechanism in FIG. 8 shows the moulded core structure 300 consisting of six extending limbs 310 a, 310 b, 320 a, 320 b, 330 a, 330 b, in three intersecting and mutually perpendicular axes, 310, 320 and 330. Each limb rotatably retains a centre piece 265. This is best shown in FIG. 9 where each centre piece 265 has been slightly rotated about its respective axis 310, 320 or 330. Referring back to FIG. 8, the other twenty pieces 262 (two of which are shown in FIG. 10) fit into the core structure 300 and interlockingly engage the centre pieces via protrusions to rotate in sets with their respective centre piece 265 to form the puzzle. These protrusions are shown as 263 a and 263 b of pieces 262 a and 262 b in FIG. 10. In the symmetric preferred embodiment described above, the corner pieces 262 a can be manufactured to have the same shape and the pieces 262 b which fit between the corner pieces (and adjacent to each centre piece) can also be manufactured to have the same shape. The position of the protrusions 263 a on each corner piece dictates which corner the piece 262 a fits into.

The above is just an example of one mechanism that can be used to rotate the puzzle pieces. Other mechanism may be used, each one being also adapted for the size of the puzzle.

Furthermore to aid in rotation of the sets of pieces, harder plastics material may be used along the surfaces of the pieces that are in contact with other pieces. FIG. 11 shows such an embodiment where each piece is formed from a soft outer surface material 280 (for safety for example) and a harder inner surface material 290 for aiding in smooth rotation of the pieces. Alternatively or in addition a lubricating substance may be placed on the inner surfaces of the pieces to aid in smooth rotation.

The foregoing description of the invention includes preferred forms thereof. Modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. 

1. A puzzle having six faces forming a closed surface, wherein in a solved state of the puzzle has a geometry in which each face comprises a non-planar surface formed from a set of interconnected elements rotatable about one of three mutually perpendicular and intersecting axes to convert the puzzle to/from the solved state geometry.
 2. A puzzle according to claim 1 wherein each element in each face has a geometry that forms a portion of the non-planar surface.
 3. A puzzle according to claim 1 wherein each face has a convex curve profile along a first axis and a concave curve profile along a second axis to form the non-planar surface.
 4. A puzzle according to claim 1 wherein the elements forming the sets of two adjacent faces share edge elements, the edge elements being rotatable about either of the respective axes of the respective faces.
 5. A puzzle according to claim 3 wherein the non-planar surface is a hyperbolic paraboloid surface.
 6. A puzzle according to claim 5 wherein the elements are rotatable in respective sets about respective axes to change the geometry of respective face to/from a hyperbolic parabloid surface, and/or change the puzzle to/from the solved state geometry.
 7. A puzzle according to claim 1 wherein each face is formed from a three by three set of interconnected elements.
 8. A puzzle according to claim 1 wherein at least one ninety degree rotation of at least one of the sets alters the geometry of the puzzle.
 9. A puzzle comprising a plurality of elements that can be arranged to form a closed surface having six faces, wherein each one of the six faces comprises a convex curve profile along one axis and a concave curve profile along a second axis and wherein the elements can be manoeuvred relative to each other to alter the geometry of at least one face of the puzzle.
 10. A puzzle comprising a plurality of elements arranged to from a closed surface having six faces, wherein each one of the six faces comprises a convex curve profile along one axis and a concave curve profile along a second axis, and wherein each face comprises nine elements arranged in a 3×3 array such that the convex and concave profiles of each face are bounded by a first and second pair of opposed edges respectively, and each edge from the first pair is formed from 3 elements that also form a corresponding edge from the second pair of edges of an adjacent face.
 11. A puzzle comprising a plurality of elements and a core structure having six limbs extending in three intersecting and mutually perpendicular axes, each limb rotatably retaining one of six centre elements of the plurality of elements at an outer end of the limb, wherein remaining elements of the plurality of elements interlockingly engage the centre elements about the core structure to surround the centre elements and form a closed surface bounded by six faces, each face defined by one of the centre elements and the elements surrounding the centre element and being rotatable about the respective limb of the centre element, and wherein the elements are shaped such that when they are interlocked each face is a surface having a concave curve along a first axis and a convex curve along a second axis.
 12. A puzzle according to claim 11 wherein the remaining elements have protrusions for interlockingly engaging one another about the core structure.
 13. A puzzle according to claim 11 comprising eight corner elements each arranged to engage behind a back face of two adjacent centre elements, and twelve other elements each arranged to fit between the corner elements and engage a back face of one of the two adjacent centre elements.
 14. A puzzle comprising a plurality of elements and a core structure having six limbs extending in three intersecting and mutually perpendicular axes, each limb rotatably retaining one of six centre elements of the plurality of elements at an outer end of the limb, and wherein remaining elements of the plurality of elements fit into the core structure about the centre pieces to rotate in sets with a respective centre piece and to form a closed surface bounded by six faces having a concave curve along a first axis and a convex curve along a second axis is formed.
 15. (canceled) 